Jelly Roll’s ‘Beautifully Broken’ Album Sheds Light on Regrets and the Quest for Redemption: Review
The genuineness of Jelly Roll is undeniable.
You won’t encounter flowery verses in his lyrics. Instead, he tells straightforward stories about his past mistakes, mental health battles, and the journey toward redemption, all set to acoustic guitar, powerful rhythms, and occasional banjo and gospel harmonies.
Jelly Roll introduced his new album, “Beautifully Broken,” in June, giving its lead single, “I Am Not Okay,” a live debut on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show. This moving song explores the weight of depression, the effort it takes to cope with it, and the choice to hold on until reaching a better place, making it a fitting introduction to his extensive 22-track album, which is now available.
Born Jason DeFord, Jelly Roll turns 40 in December. His life has been marked by challenges, numerous arrests (more than 40 for drug-related charges, by his own count), and significant lessons learned.
However, as seen in his Grammy-nominated hit “Save Me” and country-rock tracks like “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor,” he emphasizes that the path to forgiveness is never easy.
Like many lengthy albums released this year, “Beautifully Broken” can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming (the abundance of space afforded by the internet doesn’t always yield a more efficient listening experience). However, Jelly Roll’s fans will likely cherish the emotional depth woven throughout his candid expressions in this collection.
Here are five standout tracks from the album:
‘Winning Streak’
The album opens with “Winning Streak,” which pulls listeners into Jelly Roll’s experiences, detailing his time at 12-step meetings where he finds himself “sweating in an old church basement/wishing I was wasted.” His honest reflection, complemented by a powerful gospel chorus and piano, rings true as he expresses his exhaustion with feeling hopeless. Yet, a wise voice at the meeting reminds him, “nobody walks through these doors on a winning streak.”
‘Higher Than Heaven’ featuring Wiz Khalifa
This album features several guest artists, but none are more impactful than rapper Wiz Khalifa, who delivers a verse in this brief yet engaging track. “Higher Than Heaven” carries a laid-back vibe as Jelly Roll sings about seeking escape: “I roll up my problems/I know it ain’t gonna solve them/light ‘em up in a flame/let it take me there where I don’t feel a thing,” with a catchy, sing-song delivery that contrasts with its reflective lyrics.
‘Everyone Bleeds’
In “Everyone Bleeds,” Jelly Roll’s powerful voice delivers striking verses: “Everybody lies/ everybody picks one side/everybody cries sometimes/it’s just what it is,” conveying raw honesty. A strong beat and rich chorus accompany him, driving home the reminder that regardless of wealth or fame, we all experience pain.
‘Get By’
Jelly Roll often performs this energetic track at concerts, and it would pair nicely with Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” due to their similar chord progressions. The song describes his resilience in tough times, featuring the uplifting line “throw some hallelujahs to the big man in the sky.” This dynamic track includes an engaging multi-voice chorus and ends with a powerful close, leaving the lyrics resonating even after it finishes.
‘Little Light’
The song features a steel guitar that nicely complements Jelly Roll’s gentle vocals. He builds up to a powerful chorus with lyrics like, “I’ve traveled the darkest paths/set my homes ablaze/one lesson I’ve learned through life, make space for a bit of light.” This catchy tune is poised to rank high across various genre charts. While “Little Light” showcases Jelly’s pop sensibilities—revealed in his conversation with Stern where he noted that “Save Me” drew inspiration from Bette Midler’s “The Rose”—the banjo strumming and organ notes that grace the song’s ending connect back to his Tennessee heritage.